Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens was frustrated on the sideline after a pass went off his hands and into the arms of Chicago Bears defensive back Tremaine Edmunds in the fourth quarter.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had Pickens open eight yards down the field. Perhaps, the pass was just a bit too far out in front of the wide receiver. It went off his hands and Edmunds made a terrific diving catch to secure the pick.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens celebrates after catching a touchdown pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Pickens slammed his helmet onto the ground while back on his bench.
He had five catches on nine targets for 68 yards and a touchdown in the second quarter. However, he was unable to make a bigger impact on the game as the Cowboys saw CeeDee Lamb go down with an ankle injury earlier in the game.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) celebrates with Tyler Smith (73) after Pickens caught a touchdown pass in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams torched the Cowboys’ secondary on multiple plays. The most electrifying play came on a flea-flicker. He stepped up in the pocket, and with the defense breathing down his neck, he found Luther Burden III for the first-quarter score.
Williams was 19-of-28 with 298 passing yards and four touchdown passes. Burden led the Bears with three catches for 101 yards. Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet had touchdown catches as well. Eight different targets had catches.
The Cowboys’ defense allowed at least 30 points for the second straight time and third time out of the last five games going back to last year’s regular season.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws a pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Kansas City, MO. — Just hours before the Eagles and Chiefs kicked off at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium — the NFL handed out decisions on other players involved in altercations at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia last week for the season opener.
Last week — Defensive Tackle Jalen Carter —sent a flying saliva deposit that landed on Dak Prescott causing an ejection that cost him $57,222. That scenario played itself out without one offensive snap elapsing in the 2025 NFL Season as his teammate Brian VanSumeren writhed in pain on the Lincoln Financial Field turf.
Also in the first quarter last week — Cooper DeJean was flagged for unnecessary roughness while locked in a tussle with Cowboys linebacker Marist Liufau. The result was a fine of $11,593.00. Liufau lost a helmet — DeJean lost cash. Newly acquired cornerback Jakorian Bennett was fined $23,186 by the NFL for a drop-tackle. And Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith is also now $11,593 lighter after flexing over Dallas Cowboys running back Miles Sanders.
And of course — you must be wondering. To date — Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott has not been financially penalized for his participation in the “great salivathon.”
Thursday Night’s Eagles Home Opener Had A Little Something for Everyone.
No, no. Former Eagles running backs Ricky (Watters) and Charlie (Garner) aren’t making a comeback. The Eagles opening contest on the quest for NFL historical greatness began in bizarre fashion. But at least — this game had something for everyone and we found out a little more about these 2025 Eagles. We also found out that aerial assaults of human sputum prior to one offensive play being run is counterproductive, Saquon Barkley may be a year older but is still virtually unstoppable, raising the championship banner never gets old, and extended lightening delays are great for re-filling your chili fries — even at midnight.
And of course — those Cowboys are still the Cowboys.
Did defensive tackle Jalen Carter — after a full game of being double-teamed and beaten about by the Cowboys offensive line finally succumbed to the emotion of a full game and sent a flying saliva deposit that landed on Dak Prescott causing an ejection that propelled his team to triumph? Nope — you aren’t living in a dreamland — that scenario played itself out without one offensive snap elapsing in the 2025 NFL Season as his teammate Brian VanSumeren writhed in pain on the Lincoln Financial Field turf. Hopefully — this season is not over for both.
Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.
The Eagles opened the night on offense with a combination of the legs of Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and Will Shipley — the latter of whom is well on his way to becoming yet another reliable weapon in the Eagles arsenal. The game would end in much the same way relying on Hurts and Barkley to spearhead the Eagles offense. And Barkley — whether powering off left tackle or making incredible one-handed catches in the open field — is as good as ever.
Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.
And as if another historic moment was needed — with 4:44 left in the third quarter — the first Eagles Game ever was suspended due to lightening. You read correctly — we’ve seen ice games, blinding blizzards, mud-filled Championship Games. We’ve seen games turn into a Bounty Bowl, our team combine during war-time with the Steelers. We’ve even seen snowballs assaulting Santa and Duracell battery packed ice balls attempt to adjust Jimmy Johnson’s hair against these very same Cowboys. But we’ve never seen a 65-minute intermission that ended a game after midnight. All of Philly was moving slowly on Friday morning.
And then there is backup Cowboys running back Miles Sanders — whose outrage at a lack of touches in Super Bowl LVII propelled him in part to separate from a franchise that is now the finest football organization is in the universe — his once prominent role now occupied by his Nittany Lion teammate Saquon Barkley. His third quarter fumble — scooped up by Quinyon Mitchell — brought back memories. The Eagles defense is still a force to be reckoned with — even without Jalen Carter.
But perhaps the Eagles pulling out the a close game to a division rival was the most lasting facet of Thursday night’s home opener. Miles Sanders and the Cowboys are 0–1 —the former once projected to be the franchise running back that Philadelphia could have drafted after not being in a positioned to select one Saquon Barkley.
Thursday night, before a long and stressful game that had a little bit of everything. The Eagles got to hang their second Super Bowl banner in front of fans at Lincoln Financial Field.
What ensued were questionable flags, a costly turnover, weather delays, an early ejection and even…spitting contests?
Chaos At Kickoff
The Eagles unveiled the banner, with a little help from recently retired Brandon Graham.
And just minutes later, on the opening kickoff return. Ben VanSumeren’s season might’ve came to an abrupt end. We’ll wait for an official announcement on the severity of the injury, but the Eagles FullBack idea might be over.
To makes matters worse, VanSumeren wouldn’t be the only player to miss the rest of tonight’s game. With a self inflicted wound, Jalen Carter was ejected while trainers dealt with the injured player. It doesn’t matter if Han or Dak shot first. But Carter’s presence was missed for 4 Quarters as the Cowboys totalled 119 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns.
While the Eagles pass rush struggled to get home, they managed 2TFLs late in the game. Almost like they were missing one of their best defensive players?
Next Man Up
With Carter ejected it was time for another Georgia Bulldog to take his place.
Shoutout Jordan Davis
– 6 tackles – 2 pressures – 1 batted pass – 1 TFL
Davis played the 2nd most snaps on the D-line tonight. He stepped up after the Carter ejection. pic.twitter.com/hHTkd9yEJl
While some of his pressures should have turned into sacks tonight. Jordan Davis played a huge role along with Moro Ojomo who both played 89% of the Eagles defensive snaps.
Among others who made plays Thursday night include Jahan Dotson, Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell. Who forced a fumble on Miles Sanders on the Eagles 10 yard line, might have been the game deciding turnover.
And Then There Was A Weather Delay. Again.
As if a 45 minute delay for the first Super Bowl banner wasn’t enough… It happened again
With 4:45 remaining in the third quarter of a 24-20 game. Lightning in the surrounding area led to over an hour long delay in the game. Not returning until 11:30 local time, there was still almost 20 minutes of clock left to play.
The delay killed momentum for both teams, as the game saw 5 straight punts before the end of the 4th, after 8 straight scoring possessions opened the season.
The Eagles played sloppy throughout the game. As a team should look missing key pieces, already beginning to deal with injuries (Landon Dickerson & A.J. Brown), with new players in the defense like Campbell, Mukuba & Jackson. With yet another new offensive system now under Kevin Patullo.
With a week 1 divisional victory under their belts, do the Eagles look like they’re ready to run it back for Super Bowl 60?
The first win of the 2025 NFL season goes to the Philadelphia Eagles, who held off the Dallas Cowboys, 24-20, to notch a victory to start the season.
Philadelphia was ecstatic to see Lincoln Financial Field filled with green lights as they celebrated the team’s Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs back in February.
After the banner was raised, it was time to get down to business, and quarterback Jalen Hurts did just that. The Super Bowl MVP scored two touchdowns on the ground to lead his Eagles to the promised land in Week 1.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scrambles with the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 4, 2025.(Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)
This game had virtually everything happen, but it started with a disgusting act as Eagles star defensive end Jalen Carter got ejected after spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott just six seconds into the game.
Carter approached the Cowboys’ huddle after a flag was thrown on the opening kickoff, and Prescott approached him. They exchanged some words before Carter was clearly seen spitting on Prescott, and referees nearby caught it right away and threw him out.
So, the Eagles were without one of its best players before a snap was even made, but this NFC East battle was a back-and-forth offensive showcase. It started with the Cowboys going downfield via the run game, led by Javonte Williams, and Prescott finding his trusty top receiver, CeeDee Lamb, on a 32-yard strike to get into the red zone.
The first touchdown of the year was bullied into the end zone by Williams, who wouldn’t be done in this game.
Hurts and the Eagles, already down Carter, had to respond and they did so with ease on their first drive of 2025. The Eagles went 10 plays for 70 yards, where Hurts took it into the end zone himself on third-and-goal from four yards out to tie the game after the extra point.
But Dallas was quick to respond, going nine plays and a long 88 yards where Williams fought through the line of scrimmage for the one-yard score.
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) walks off the field after being disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
The Eagles, though, continued to use Hurts and star running back Saquon Barkley to solidify the run game, and Hurts ran one in the end zone from eight yards out for the score.
After a Brandon Aubrey 41-yard field goal on the next drive, the reigning Super Bowl champions were hungry for its first lead of 2025. Who other than Barkley, the league’s ninth-ever 2,000-yard rusher last season, making that happen by weaving through the Cowboys’ defense for a 10-yard score with 51 seconds left in the first half, making it 21-17.
The Cowboys would find their way down the field to allow Aubrey to nail a 53-yard field goal just as the half ended, and it was clear these two rivals were going to have to get a stop or two to secure the win.
That’s exactly what happened when Miles Sanders, the former Eagles running back, fumbled in the red zone as the Cowboys were driving and second-year cornerback Quinyon Mitchell scooped up the ball to flip the field.
But a lengthy weather delay came right after, stopping play for almost an hour due to lightning and heavy rain in the area.
Once play resumed, the scoring onslaught slowed drastically as both defenses started to get into the backfield. But the Eagles had the edge thanks to a third-quarter field goal by Jake Elliott that made it 24-20.
Dallas had a chance to go down the field after multiple stops on the Eagles’ offense, but crucial drops by Lamb, who is usually as sure-handed as they come in the NFL, halted drives for the Cowboys.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) looks on prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 4, 2025.(Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)
The Eagles forced a turnover-on-downs after Lamb couldn’t haul a Prescott pass on a diving attempt, and Hurts ran for a first down on third-and-short to ice the game.
Looking at the stat sheet, Hurts went 19-of-23 for 152 yards passing, while rushing for 63 yards on 13 rushes. Barkley also added 60 yards on 18 carries with his touchdown.
Prescott could’ve had more in the passing game, going for 188 yards on 21-of-34 through the air. Lamb finished with 110 yards on seven catches with 13 targets.
The Atlanta Falcons defeated the visiting Dallas Cowboys 27-21 on Sunday afternoon in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The much bigger story was how Atlanta’s defense held Dallas to just three points during the first and third quarters.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said his team is still searching for “greatness” and “It’s always nice to play together.”
“The sky’s the limit.”
Ahead 14-10 at halftime, Atlanta took advantage of a short field following a Cowboys turnover-on-downs and scored their third touchdown of the game to go ahead 21-10. On the play, Ray-Ray McCloud found some room in the Dallas end zone and Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins found MCCloud on his third touchdown pass of the game to that point. Cousins came into the game with 14 touchdowns, seven interceptions and just over 2,100 passing yards on the season.
The third quarter ended with Atlanta’s defense almost holding the Cowboys scoreless before kicker Brandon Aubrey made a 57-yard field goal to bring his team within eight points at 21-13. That made two quarters, the first and the third, that the defense didn’t allow a touchdown. In a close game that made all the difference.
Photo by One Circle Entertainment/The Atlanta Voice
The fourth quarter began with a long drive capped by a Tyler Allgeier touchdown run and filled with runs and catches by Bijan Robinson. Atlanta went ahead 27-13 early in the quarter by going to their best offensive threat over and over again. Robinson, the Falcons leading rusher, led the team with seven receptions. It ended with the Cowboys picking up eight points on a touchdown and two-point conversion, but to no avail. With 1:24 remaining in the game, Atlanta ran out the clock on the Cowboys.
Back on the defensive side of the ball, Atlanta came into the game with just six sacks this season. Before the first quarter was over there would be two more sacks added to the tally as the Falcons defense held the Cowboys to just three first-quarter points. Dallas wouldn’t score its first offensive touchdown until the five-minute mark of the second quarter when Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott found running back Rico Dowdle in the end zone after nearly being sacked for the third time. Dowdle caught the ball on his back and brought Dallas within four points of Atlanta at 14-10.
The Falcons offense put together successful drives on its second possession, a touchdown pass from Cousins to receiver Drake London, and on its fourth possession of the first half, another touchdown pass for Cousins, this time to receiver Darnell Mooney. The touchdown was Mooney’s fifth of the season and Cousins’ 16th.
The Atlanta Falcons (above)moved to 6-3 following a victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. The Falcons will travel to New Orleans to play the rival Saints on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. Photo by One Circle Entertainment/The Atlanta Voice
Key Stats:
The Atlanta Falcons moved to 3-3 at home following the win. They remain undefeated on the road this season.
Bijan Robinson went over 140 total yards of offense following consecutive receptions in the fourth quarter. After the game, Falcons head coach said Robinson is an example of what it means to be a Falcon. “He just does everything,” said Morris.
Robinson didn’t score, but found a way to lead the team in receptions and rushing on Sunday. On Robinson’s play, Cousins, who used his time with Dalvon Cook in Minnesota as an example, said, “He’s a big deal. I see a running back as a running back, and I also see them as a receiver.” Sunday was the 43rd time Cousins threw for three or more touchdowns.
Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback Cooper Rush came into the game early in the fourth quarter for Prescott, who had hamstring issues. Rush completed one of his first three passing attempts for three yards.
What’s Next:
The Atlanta Falcons will travel to New Orleans to play the Saints on Sunday, Nov. 10. A victory in New Orleans would give Atlanta a 5-0 record in the NFC South and an undisputed division crown. A victory over the Saints would also mean a sweep of both New Orleans and Tampa this season.
Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys stands for the national anthem before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on September 8, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cowboys defeated the Browns 33-17.
Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images
The New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys game will be played today, live from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. Both teams have momentum coming into Week 2 following victories last week.
Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys NFL game today, even if you don’t have cable.
How and when to watch the New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys NFL game today game
The New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys game will be played on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox, and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Saints vs. Cowboys game without cable
While many cable packages include Fox, it’s easy to watch the game if Fox isn’t included in your cable TV subscription, or if you don’t have cable at all. Your best options for watching are below. (Streaming options will require an internet provider.)
Live TV streaming service Fubo offers the same top-tier programming you can get from your local cable provider at a fraction of the price. The streamer is a sports fan’s dream considering the sheer volume of live sporting events you can watch on it.
Fubo packages include access to NFL games airing on your local CBS affiliate, Fox Sunday NFC games via “NFL on Fox,” “Sunday Night Football” on NBC, “Monday Night Football” on ABC and ESPN, and all games aired on NFL Network. There are plenty of channels for NCAA college football fans too, including SEC Network, Big Ten Network and ESPNU.
If you want to give Fubo a try, now’s a great time to do so: Fubo is currently offering $30 off your first month of any subscription tier. That means you can watch every NFL and college football game airing on network TV this week starting at just $49.99 after a seven-day free trial. Once you subscribe, you can begin watching immediately on your TV, phone, tablet or computer.
Top features of Fubo:
There are no contracts with Fubo. You can cancel at any time.
The Pro ($49.99 first month, $79.99 thereafter) tier includes over 200 channels, including channels not available on some other live TV streaming services.
Upgrade to 4K resolution with the Elite with Sports Plus tier ($69.99 first month, $99.99 thereafter). It features 299 channels, including NFL RedZone.
Fubo also offers live MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and international soccer games.
All tiers now come with unlimited cloud-based DVR recording.
You can watch on up to 10 screens at once with any Fubo plan.
Stream on your TV, phone, tablet and other devices.
If you don’t have cable TV that includes Fox, one of the most cost-effective ways to watch tonight’s game, and all the major sporting events happening this fall, is through a subscription to Sling TV. To watch the NFL Network on Sling TV, you’ll need a subscription to the Orange tier or the Blue tier. We suggest leveling up your coverage to get more NFL games this fall with the Orange + Blue tier.
That Orange + Blue plan normally costs $60 per month, but the streamer currently offers a half-off promotion for your first month, so you’ll pay just $30. It’s your best NFL-watching option for the season, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC and Fox.
The streamer is also currently offering big savings on four months of the Orange + Blue tier plus the Sports Extra plan when you prepay for the Sling TV Season Pass. The Sports Extra plan includes Golf Channel, Big Ten Network among others. Prepay for four months of the Sling TV Season Pass and spend $219, reduced from $300.
Because Sling TV does not carry CBS, Sling subscribers will want to add Paramount+ to their bundle.
Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue plan:
Sling TV is our top choice for streaming major sporting events like NASCAR.
There are 46 channels to watch in total, including local NBC, Fox and ABC affiliates (where available).
You get access to most local NFL games and nationally broadcast games at the lowest price.
All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.
You can add Golf Channel, NBA TV, NHL Network, NFL RedZone, MLB Network, Tennis Channel and more sports-oriented channels (19 in total) via Sling TV’s Sports Extras add-on.
You can watch the NFL, including Fox, with Hulu + Live TV. The bundle features access to 90 channels, including both Fox and FS1. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch every game on every network with Hulu + Live TV, plus catch live NFL preseason games, exclusive live regular season games, popular studio shows (including NFL Total Access and the Emmy-nominated show Good Morning Football) and lots more.
Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+ for $77 per month after a three-day free trial.
If you want to catch today’s game live on your phone, check out NFL+. The premium streaming service, starting at $40 per year (or $7 per month), offers access to NFL Network. And yes, that includes games being broadcast out-of-market. To boost your NFL experience even further, you can upgrade to NFL+ Premium with NFL RedZone and watch up to eight NFL games simultaneously.
Top features of NFL+:
You get access to all NFL preseason games, including those that are out of market.
NFL+ lets you watch stream local and primetime regular season games on your phone or tablet, but not your TV.
Includes the NFL Network (and NFL RedZone with NFL+ Premium), so it’s a good option for those who are looking to stream football on the go.
Watch today’s game with a digital HDTV antenna
Amazon
You can also watch sports airing on network TV with an affordable indoor antenna, which pulls in local over-the-air HDTV channels such as CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, PBS, Univision and more. Here’s the kicker: There’s no monthly charge.
For anyone living in a partially blocked-off area (those near mountains or first-floor apartments), a digital TV antenna may not pick up a good signal — or any signal at all. But for many homes, a digital TV antenna provides a seriously inexpensive way to watch sports without paying a cable company. Indoor TV antennas can also provide some much-needed TV backup if a storm knocks out your cable.
This ultra-thin, multi-directional digital antenna with a 65-mile range can receive hundreds of HD TV channels and can filter out cellular and FM signals. It delivers a high-quality picture in 1080p HDTV, top-tier sound and features a 12-foot digital coax cable.
If you’re anxiously waiting for today’s game to begin, now is a great time to check out Amazon’s NFL Fan Shop. The Amazon NFL Fan Shop is filled to the brim with officially licensed fan gear: You’ll find jerseys, team flags, T-shirts, hoodies and more, including tons of great gear for the NFL fan in your life. There are plenty of great deals awaiting you at Amazon, too, including some must-see deals on TVs for watching sports.
Tap the button below to head directly to the NFL Fan Shop page on Amazon and select your favorite team.
2024-5 NFL season Week 2 full schedule
Below is the full Week 2 schedule for the 2024-5 NFL season. All times Eastern.
Thursday, Sept. 12
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins, 8:15 p.m. (Prime Video)
Sunday, Sept. 15
Las Vegas Raiders at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Los Angeles Chargers at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. (CBS)
New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Indianapolis Colts at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. (CBS)
San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Seattle Seahawks at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. (FOX)
New York Jets at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. (CBS)
New York Giants at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)
Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Chicago Bears at Houston Texans, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Monday, Sept. 16
Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
The Houston Texans have lived a pretty charmed life the last couple off-seasons. In 2023, the draft brought us C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson as the future saviors of the organization, and possibly the city itself. In 2024, the Texans went ultra aggressive in free agency and in trades, and landed Stefon Diggs, Joe Mixon, and Danielle Hunter, among others.
Along the way, there was almost no contractual drama. The one big extension handed out, which was to wide receiver Nico Collins, came with zero dark clouds or social media salvos needed. It was just your standard, quietly negotiated $72 million contract extension. The closest thing to drama the last two years has come from cornerback Steven Nelson, ever the agitator, going after Nick Caserio and DeMeco Ryans with personal insults about their attire and appearance. Needless to say, Nelson is gone.
Someday, the Texans will have off-season drama again. All teams, even the good ones do. I might even say ESPECIALLY the good ones do. The Cowboys, Packers, and Dolphins are all good NFL teams, and all three have high drama going on with their starting quarterbacks right now, as all three signal callers are looking for massive new contract extensions.
As we outlined last week, the average-at-best Jaguars QB, Trevor Lawrence, just secured a contract that ties for the highest average annual value in the league, at $55 million. I would submit that the three quarterbacks we were referring to above — Dak Prescott of the Cowboys, Jordan Love of the Packers, and Tua Tagovailoa of the Dolphins — are all better, more productive players than Lawrence. Prescott and Love, for sure.
So now all three of those teams are in staring contests with their team leaders, who all likely want more than Lawrence. Let’s look at all three of these standoffs through a Texans prism. What should we be rooting for in each of these instances?
DAK PRESCOTT, Dallas Cowboys Prescott is in the final season of a long term contract he signed a few seasons ago, and sits on the books right now as a $55 million cap hit. This is on a team that also wants to give big deals to WR Cede Lamb and LB Micah Parsons this offseason. The worst thing for the rest of the league would be for Prescott to hit free agency next spring, because the ceiling for QB salaries would skyrocket, likely past $60 million per year, if there were a bidding war. With C.J. Stroud eligible for an extension in a couple seasons, the lower the highest salary stays, the better. So root for the Cowboys and Prescott to agree to a long term deal this offseason at slightly more than Lawrence is making, maybe $56 million or $57 million per year.
JORDAN LOVE, Green Bay Packers Love is also in line for a big pay day, after waiting three seasons behind Aaron Rodgers, and in his first season as a starter, nearly knocking off the 49ers in the divisional round of the playoffs. Here’s the wrinkle with Love — his agent is David Mulugheta, who famously helped Deshaun Watson exit Houston and get a record setting amount of guaranteed money from the Browns. Mulugheta is also Stroud’s agent. Thus, I am hoping that Love lands a lucrative, but team friendly that allows the Packers to sign some of his teammates to big deals. That would show me Mulugheta is okay having a client who doesn’t push for top money, but instead prioritizes winning, like we hope C.J. Stroud does in two seasons.
TUA TAGOVAILOA, Miami Dolphins Go on social media and search “Tua contract” and what you’ll find out is that the Dolphins, at least as of right now, have zero desire to pay him at the Trevor Lawrence/Joe Burrow level of $55 million per year. Tagovailoa has been very vocal about how the lack of a new deal is affecting him mentally right now, so here’s what I am hoping for, from a Texans perspective — I’m hoping that Tagovailoa gets no new deal, that he becomes a basket case worrying about it, and that he throws four picks against the Texans in Week 15 at NRG Stadium.
It’s in the plans but there is no timetable to get one done even though Prescott is in the final year of his contract, putting the Cowboys reality of him walking in free agency in 2024.
But there is no step back from Jones in his belief in Prescott, who has won just two playoff games in his eight years as Cowboys quarterback.
“Because you got Dak for sure,” Jones said when asked why should fans believe in the Cowboys winning it all in 2024 when followed three straight seasons of 12-5 finishes with early playoff exits. “We think he’s great quarterback. That is really the gist of what we’re about this year. We’ve got Dak. ”
“I think Dak will be at the top of his game. I’ve said that I do think he will improve from where he is now. I think we’ll have that.”
Prescott is coming off season in which he led the NFL in touchdown passes and finished second in NFL MVP voting.
He followed it up with a woeful performance in the 48-32 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Jones said it is not as simple as Prescott needing to play better in the playoffs, in the biggest games.
He said the Cowboys have to have better coordination from the coaching staff as well as the players to reach their overall goal.
He specifically pointed out the team’s suspect run defense not only against the Packers but in regular season losses to the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills.
He thinks the addition fo Mike Zimmer as defensive coordinator in place of Dan Quinn, the new head coach of the Washington Commanders, will make a difference.
“I hope we’re able to stop when our opponents come toward us with the running game,” Jones said. “I hope specially able to address that better. So careful not to criticize defense, as much as we think of Dan, we needed a few games, those games that Dak, quote unquote had his worst games, coincided with how we played defensive. We’ve got that in mind.”
He also pointed to better clarity from the coaching staff in alignment and purpose.
“I think it has to do with frankly better coordinating with the coaching, certainly and the management…relative to what you trying win games with, strategies and who you’re playing,” Jones said. “ f look back at the Pro Bowlers. Did we get the absolute best execution and and best chance to win and advance in the playoffs by using those Pro Bowlers who just happened to represent 60 percent of your salaries, did we get the most out of them to win the games? That’s a different way of saying they’ve got to do more if they’re going to get that money. Well, they’ve got to be put in position to do more, too.”
And while Prescott has not delivered in the playoffs like Kansas City Chiefs three-time Super Bowl quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Jones doesn’t begrudge him for wanting maximize his earnings among the top players in the game.
“I’m an American entrepreneur,” Jones said. “I get up wanting everybody to have opportunity to make more money. I live that stuff, so I’m not going to criticize anybody for making more money.”
And Jones doesn’t hold Prescott lack of playoff success against him when it comes to contract negotiations. In his mind, just cause he hasn’t won doesn’t mean he can’t or won’t, not unlike several other quarterbacks in the league.
“When I think of Dak, he’s one of those in the top paid that haven’t won that I think can,” Jones said. “I think there are a handful or more of quarterbacks playing who haven’t won a Super Bowl that will win a Super Bowl. I think Dak is one of them. I’m firm there.”
Jones also is firm on wanting Prescott to considering taking team-friendly deal in continue to build the supporting cast around him in hopes of winning a Super Bowl.
Something has to give. It’s another reason the Cowboys are having to try to win with less in 2024.
“As you address a player like Dak, you take away from his supporting cast,” Jones said. “That’s not a sales job. Everybody realizes, if you get the bucks, someone else who can help you win doesn’t. That’s factual.”
But Jones remains confident because of Prescott.
“I think we’re going to be as close going in as we’ve been with the last three teams, with Dak,’’ Jones said. “With Dak. “How can you say that, you ask? Well, do you still have (CeeDee) Lamb out there? Do you still have that tight end threat? Do you still have some really good players on defense?
“Now, can you manage to stop the run better than you did the last couple of years? It’s down to those kind of things. . .We want to get it done. I think we have been in a situation where we can get it done with less.’’
Related stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Clarence E. Hill Jr. has covered the Dallas Cowboys as a beat writer/columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram since 1997. That includes just two playoff wins, six coaches and countless controversies from the demise of the dynasty teams of the 1990s through the rollercoaster years of the Tony Romo era until Jason Garrett’s process Cowboys.
NFC running back Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers and NFC defensive end Cam Jordan #94 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate as they dump water on NFC head coach Eli Manning after defeating the AFC during an NFL Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 05, 2023 in Las Vegas, NV.
Michael Owens / Getty Images
Super Bowl LVIII is still a week away, but there’s some football on TV to watch this Sunday. The 2024 Pro Bowl Games are being held in Orlando, FL this weekend. It’s a week-long competition that culminates in today’s epic flag football game, the Sunday Pro Bowl Games Championship.
The best football players from the AFC and the NFC will all be on the field today, including nine players from the NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers and five players from the AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs. You won’t want to miss this Super Bowl warmup. Here’s how to watch it.
How and when to watch the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games
The 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games will be played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL from Feb. 1-4, 2024.
The first event of the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games was the Thursday Skills Showdown, held on Feb. 1, 2024.
The Sunday Pro Bowl Games Championship will be played on Feb. 4, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT). The game will air on ABC and ESPN and stream live on ESPN+, Sling TV and the other streaming platforms listed below.
How to watch the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games Championship without cable
While most cable packages include ABC and ESPN, it’s easy to watch the Pro Bowl Games Championship if ABC and ESPN aren’t included in your cable TV subscription, or if you don’t have cable at all. Your best options for watching are below. (Streaming options will require an internet provider.)
If you have don’t have cable TV that includes ABC, NBC, Fox or ESPN, one of the most cost-effective ways to stream live sports this year is through a subscription to Sling TV. The streamer offers access to the NFL Network, local NBC, FOX and ABC affiliates (where available) and ESPN with its Orange + Blue Tier plan. Also worth noting: Sling TV comes with 50 hours of cloud-based DVR recording space included, perfect for recording all the important games.
That plan normally costs $60 per month, but the streamer is currently offering a 50% off promotion for your first month, so you’ll pay just $30. You can learn more by tapping the button below.
Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue tier:
There are 46 channels to watch in total, including local NBC, Fox and ABC affiliates (where available).
You get access to most local NFL games and nationally broadcast sporting events at the lowest price.
All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.
You can also catch the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games on FuboTV. FuboTV is a sports-centric streaming service that offers access to just about every live sporting event you’d want to watch. Packages include ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network and more, so you’ll be able to watch more than just today’s game, all without a cable subscription. (Yes, you can watch Super Bowl LVIII on CBS with Fubo TV.) Note: CBS and CBS Essentials are both subsidiaries of Paramount.
To watch the game without cable, start a seven-day free trial of Fubo. You can begin watching immediately on your TV, phone, tablet or computer. In addition to NFL football, FuboTV offers MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and international soccer games. FuboTV Pro Tier is priced at $80 per month after your free seven-day trial.
Top features of FuboTV Pro Tier:
There are no contracts with FuboTV — you can cancel at any time.
The Pro tier includes 169 channels, including NFL Network. (You’ll need to upgrade to Ultimate for NFL RedZone.)
FuboTV includes all the channels you’ll need to watch college and pro football, including CBS (not available through Sling TV).
All tiers come with 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR recording.
You can watch the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games Championship on ABC with Hulu + Live TV. The bundle features access to 90 channels, including local TV affiliates and popular cable channels. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch every game on every network with Hulu + Live TV, plus catch live NFL preseason games, exclusive live regular season games, popular studio shows (including NFL Total Access and the Emmy-nominated show Good Morning Football) and lots more.
Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+ for $77 per month.
In addition to live streaming the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games Championship, ESPN+ offers exclusive live sports, original shows, a vast library of on-demand content (including the entire “30 For 30” series) and more. Here’s a sampling of what’s available on ESPN+:
Exclusive fantasy sports tools and content from some of the sports world’s most respected voices
Every Fight Night UFC event UFC PPV event (PPV events are subject to an additional charge.)
Soccer, including EFL Championship, US Open Cup and Bundesliga
College sports including the Ivy League, Big Sky Conference and Atlantic A10 Conference
MLB and the World Series
Top-tier tennis including the Australian Open and Wimbledon
The PGA Tour and the Masters
An ESPN+ subscription costs $10.99 per month, or save 15% when you pay annually ($110). ESPN+ is also currently offering a cost-saving bundle. Get ESPN+ (With Ads), Disney + (With Ads) and Hulu (With Ads) for $14.99 per month.
Watch NFL football live with a digital HDTV antenna
Amazon
You can watch the NFL and more live sports on TV with an affordable indoor antenna, which pulls in local over-the-air HDYC channels such as CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, PBS, Univision and more. Here’s the kicker: There’s no monthly charge.
Anyone living in partially blocked-off area (those near mountains or first-floor apartments), a digital TV antenna may not pick up a good signal — or any signal at all. But for many homes, a digital TV antenna provides a seriously inexpensive way to watch college football without paying a cable company. Indoor TV antennas can also provide some much-needed TV backup if a storm knocks out your cable.
This amplified digital antenna can receive hundreds of HD TV channels, including ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, FOX, Univision and can filter out cellular and FM signals. It received signals 360 degrees and delivers a high-quality picture in 4K, UHD and 1080 HDTV, top-tier sound and features a 16-foot digital coax cable.
Full 2024 Pro Bowl roster
Here’s who will be representing the AFC and NFC at today’s Pro Bowl Games Championship. Starred athletes are starters.
2024 NFC Pro Bowl Offense
Quarterback
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers*
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (replaces Purdy)
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (replaces Prescott)
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (replaces Stafford)
Running back
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers*
D’Andre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (replaces McCaffrey)
Fullback
Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers*
C.J. Ham, Minnesota Vikings (replaces Juszczyk)
Wide receiver
CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys*
A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles*
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (replaces Brown)
DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (replaces Evans)
Tight end
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers*
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys (replaces Kittle)
Tackle
Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers*
Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles*
Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions
Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (replaces Williams)
Guard
Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys*
Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons*
Landon Dickerson, Philadelphia Eagles
Tyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys (replaces Martin)
Center (2)
Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles*
Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions
2024 NFC Pro Bowl Defense
Defensive end
Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers*
Montez Sweat, Chicago Bears*
Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions
Demarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys (replaces Bosa)
Interior linemen
Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams*
Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants*
Javon Hargrave, San Francisco 49ers
Kenny Clark, Green Bay Packers (replaces Hargrave)
Outside linebacker
Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys*
Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings*
Haason Reddick, Philadelphia Eagles
Inside/middle linebacker
Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers*
Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks
Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints (replaces Warner)
Cornerback
DaRon Bland, Dallas Cowboys*
Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers*
Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks
Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles (replaces Ward)
Free safety
Jessie Bates, Atlanta Falcons*
Strong safety
Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals*
Julian Love, Seattle Seahawks
2024 NFC Pro Bowl Special Teams
Long snapper
Andrew DePaola, Minnesota Vikings*
Punter
Bryan Anger, Dallas Cowboys*
Placekicker
Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys*
Kick returner
Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints*
Special teamer
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Detroit Lions*
Nick Bellore, Seattle Seahawks (replaced Reeves-Maybin)
2024 AFC Pro Bowl Offense
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins*
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (replaces TBA)
Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts (replaces TBA)
Eagles fans are able to breathe a partial sigh of relief.
It’s been a long week of slowly learning that the Eagles were letting go of coordinators.
Sean Desai was the first to go. With the wording that Sirianni made the call confirmed that the divisive head coach would keep his job.
Many wanted to see Sirianni let go after the Eagles catastrophic end to the season. Losing 6 of their last 7 games, including a 23 point blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during wildcard weekend.
After the news of Desai’s departure. Fear began to settle in that Matt Patricia would remain the defensive coordinator in Philadelphia.
Only on a one-year contract, Matt Patricia will be moving on from the Eagles. Probably ending up with Bill Belichick, who just lost out on the Atlanta Falcons vacant head coach position.
With Brian Johnson the last to be let go. Just like that, the Eagles would be replacing both coordinators for the 2nd straight off-season.
The Interviews Begin
There’s plenty of coaches available this hiring cycle. While the Eagles missed out on potentially replacing Nick Sirianni with Jim Harbaugh or Mike Vrabel. They’ve already begun on potential coordinators.
The Eagles began their search by reaching out to and interviewing the following coaches:
While things seemed to favor Ron Rivera as a potential DC who wouldn’t end up getting poached the following season. The Eagles interesting news broke during Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni’s press conference Wednesday afternoon.
Eagles New Defensive Coordinator, Vic Fangio?
During Wednesday’s press conference, Adam Schefter reported that Vic Fangio was moving on from the Miami Dolphins and that the expected landing spot would be the Philadelphia Eagles. It would be confirmed on Thursday
Turns out the Eagles got the defensive coordinator they were after all along. If not for a tampering incident with Jonathan Gannon, the Eagles would have most likely hired Vic Fangio instead of Sean Desai.
Changing to a 3-4 defensive front could mean a philosphy change for the Eagles. A team that spent the least amount on the linebacker position, at $3.8M. With 4 Free Agent linebackers, the Eagles have a lot of work to do in rebuilding that room.
Howie Roseman pointed out that Zach Cunningham had a good season despite missing 3 games. Perhaps that’s a hint toward a potential re-signee later in the off-season?
With plenty of free agents available, including Patrick Queen, Devin White and Azeez Al-Shaair. This could be the off-season for the Eagles to spend at the position they neglect the most, while also building through the draft with players like Jeremiah Trotter Jr. or Junior Colson.
One Coordinator To Go
So far, the Eagles interviewed candidates for the offensive coordinator position don’t bring much hope for the future of the offense. Kellen Moore was expected to get head coaching interviews following his season in San Diego. Bringing in a coordinator that worked with the Cowboys during Dak Prescott’s worst season is one thing. But Kliff Kingsbury following his disastrous exit in Arizona is another.
There’s been no decision at offensive coordinator yet. What potential candidates do you hope the Eagles reach out to before making a final choice?
Dak Prescott and his right guard, Zack Martin, feasted on a turkey leg together on the sideline with six minutes left in the game after the star quarterback’s fourth touchdown pass.
Then, DaRon Bland really got the Thanksgiving party started for Dallas.
Bland set an NFL record with his fifth interception return for a touchdown this season, and the Cowboys extended their longest home winning streak in 42 years to 13 by pulling away for a 45-10 victory over the Washington Commanders on Thursday.
Dallas’ lead going into the fourth quarter was less than two touchdowns for the first time in five home games this season, but the Cowboys (8-3) ended up tying a 55-year-old franchise record with a seventh victory by at least 20 points.
The outcome was already settled when Bland’s fifth pick-6 punctuated a 25-point fourth quarter — and interrupted Prescott’s sideline feast.
“Didn’t see him initially pick it, but I just heard the crowd erupt, looked up and saw 26 had the ball in his hands,” Prescott said. “At that point, I just sprinted to the sideline to get a good view.”
A Dallas defense that gave up more than 200 yards for the first time in three games stiffened at key points in the second half, stopping Washington on fourth down three times.
Sam Howell threw for 300 yards and had a rushing touchdown, but was sacked at his 24-yard line on fourth down early in the fourth quarter, setting up CeeDee Lamb’s touchdown and 2-point conversion catches for a 21-point Dallas lead.
The Commanders (4-8) lost for the eighth time in 10 games since a 2-0 start and dropped to 2-9 as the most common Thanksgiving opponent for their NFC East rivals.
“We just got beat by a lot of points on Thanksgiving,” receiver Terry McLaurin said. “The game was within reach. And we just didn’t make the necessary plays to kind of put the ball in the end zone and do our part. So that’s never a good feeling.”
Prescott threw for 331 yards in his fifth consecutive game with at least two TD passes, one shy of his career best. Rico Dowdle, Brandin Cooks and KaVontae Turpin had the other scoring grabs.
The 5-foot-7 Turpin jumped into an oversized Salvation Army kettle beyond the end zone — a move made famous by Ezekiel Elliott years ago — after his 34-yard score.
Lamb had already spiked a ball into one after a 2-point catch that was initially called out of bounds in the back of the end zone before getting overturned on review.
All of which paled compared to the frenzy over Bland breaking a tie with three players for his record, secured when he made Howell, McLaurin and running back Brian Robinson miss on tackles inside the 20.
Bland’s teammates lifted him into one of the kettles, and coach Mike McCarthy was appreciative of the officials working with him to “get control of it,” which included Dallas using a timeout.
“That’s a big moment. Let’s be honest. The sideline erupted,” McCarthy said. “It’s good to celebrate and you need to. You need to smell the roses when you walk through the garden, as our guys did today. Because when you’re on the other side, it’s hard.”
The Cowboys were the first team since the 1990 Miami Dolphins to go 10 games into the season without allowing a 100-yard rusher, 100-yard receiver and 300-yard passer.
Howell and receiver Curtis Samuel (nine catches for 100 yards) ended that run, but the Cowboys won the turnover battle again (1-0) to go with the trio of fourth-down stops.
Prescott tied Tony Romo’s team record with his 10th game of at least four touchdown passes. Three have come in the past five games, a stretch that includes 17 TD tosses and just two interceptions.
Dallas is now within five games of the 18-game winning streak at old Texas Stadium from 1979-81, when the Cowboys were in middle of an NFL-record run of 20 consecutive winning seasons.
GETTING WOBBLY
Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey missed an extra point for the second consecutive game. The miss in the 33-10 victory over Carolina ended a streak of 49 made field goals and PATs since Aubrey missed his first-ever kick on an extra point against the New York Giants in the opener.
The 28-year-old rookie still has his NFL-record run of 22 consecutive made field goals to start a career after hitting a 52-yarder.
INJURIES
Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. was evaluated for a concussion in the first half and cleared. … Dallas S Jayron Kearse was inactive with a back issue after showing up on the injury report during the short week.
UP NEXT
Commanders: Miami at home Dec. 3, the only game between now and Dec. 17. The bye comes after the Dolphins game.
Cowboys: Seattle next Thursday in the second of three consecutive home games.
Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys continue to come up short against the San Francisco 49ers.
After being eliminated by the 49ers in the last two postseasons, the Cowboys’ 42-10 loss in San Francisco on Sunday night was the most lopsided yet.
In terms of point differential, it was the biggest loss of Prescott’s eight-year NFL career and the largest in the history of the Cowboys-49ers rivalry.
“Didn’t see it coming,” Prescott told reporters after the game. “Put everything into this and got punched in the mouth. Called it a couple weeks ago humbling against Arizona, but this may be the most humbling game I’ve ever been a part of. Felt good about the preparation and felt good about everything, honestly, coming into this game, matchups, and they beat us in every aspect.”
Prescott only passed for 153 yards in the blowout and threw three interceptions against one touchdown. It was hardly the first time the 30-year-old quarterback struggled against the 49ers’ stout defense.
In the NFC Wild Card round in January 2022, Prescott completed 23-of-43 passes for 245 yards, a touchdown and an interception in a 23-17 loss at home to the 49ers. That game is best remembered for Prescott sliding in bounds without a timeout remaining, then failing to get another snap off before time expired.
Then this past January, Prescott went 23-of-37 for 206 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in a 19-12 loss in San Francisco in the NFC Divisional round. Prescott nearly threw a third interception with under three minutes remaining in that game, but linebacker Dre Greenlaw dropped a potential pick-six.
Prescott – who signed a four-year, $160 million contract before the 2021 season – has thrown six interceptions over his past three games against the 49ers. He led the NFL with 15 interceptions last season, despite only playing in 12 games.
Reducing that interception total was a point of emphasis over the offseason for Prescott, who has now thrown four through five games.
Dallas fell to 3-2 with Sunday’s loss. The Cowboys’ three wins came against the Giants, Jets and New England Patriots, who are a combined 4-11 this season. They lost Week 3 to the Arizona Cardinals, who are 1-4.
The 49ers, meanwhile, improved to 5-0 and have won each game by at least a touchdown. The NFL’s only other undefeated team, the 5-0 Philadelphia Eagles, now boast a two-game lead over Dallas in the NFC East.
Onion Sports shares its expert analysis on the teams that will come away with victory in the NFL’s Divisional Round.
Jaguars at Chiefs
Jaguars: Expect Chiefs coach Andy Reid to have something special up his sleeve for this game. Unfortunately, that will just be a dozen hot dogs.
Offensive Player To Watch: Jaguars
Offensive Player To Watch: Jaguars
Zay Jones: The Jags wide receiver has the field awareness needed to witness numerous Trevor Lawrence interceptions.
Defensive Player To Watch: Jaguars
Defensive Player To Watch: Jaguars
Josh Allen: This could be a perfect opportunity for the pass rusher to pick up a loose quarterback on the ground and return it for a touchdown.
Offensive Player To Watch: Chiefs
Offensive Player To Watch: Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes: Kansas City’s star QB is expected to have his best State Farm commercial yet.
Defensive Player To Watch: Chiefs
Defensive Player To Watch: Chiefs
Chris Jones: Expect the massive defensive tackle to struggle to make it out of the Jaguars’ backfield.
Giants at Eagles
Eagles: Jalen Hurts and the Eagles have what it takes to bring a small dollop of joy to Philadelphia citizens’ otherwise bleak, empty lives.
Offensive Player To Watch: Giants
Offensive Player To Watch: Giants
Daniel Jones: The quarterback has a bright future with his next team.
Defensive Player To Watch: Giants
Defensive Player To Watch: Giants
Dexter Lawrence: The Giants colossal nose tackle will rely on his flexibility and athleticism, which allow him to change direction at least once per game.
Offensive Player To Watch: Eagles
Offensive Player To Watch: Eagles
Jason Kelce: The Eagles’ Pro Bowl center is reportedly practicing a knuckleball hike
Defensive Player To Watch: Eagles
Defensive Player To Watch: Eagles
Ndamukong Suh: Though playing as a backup, the veteran Suh is hoping he still has a few more dirty plays left in him.
Bengals at Bills
Bengals: After Week 17’s suspended matchup, Cincinnati will be eager to get revenge on Damar Hamlin.
Offensive Player To Watch: Bengals
Offensive Player To Watch: Bengals
Joe Burrow: Pretty much just needs to go out there and not throw 20 picks to go down as the best quarterback in Bengals history.
Defensive Player To Watch: Bengals
Defensive Player To Watch: Bengals
Eli Apple: The feisty cornerback will do whatever it takes to be dragged into the end zone while clinging to Josh Allen’s back.
Offensive Player to Watch: Bills
Offensive Player to Watch: Bills
Stefon Diggs: Buffalo’s wideout has shown the ability to make seemingly impossible catches, rending the delicate fabric of our so-called “reality” and plunging NFL fans into a horrid abyss of unfathomable madness.
Defensive Player To Watch: Bills
Defensive Player To Watch: Bills
Tremaine Edmunds: The middle linebacker is the heart and soul and lower intestine and trachea and stapes bone of the Bills defense.
Cowboys at 49ers
49ers: San Francisco has better defenders, a more explosive offense, and it’s just really gratifying to see Jerry Jones absolutely fucking miserable.
Offensive Player To Watch: Cowboys
Offensive Player To Watch: Cowboys
Dak Prescott: He has the kind of arm that can ruin the hopes and dreams of any Cowboys fan.
Defensive Player To Watch: Cowboys
Defensive Player To Watch: Cowboys
Micah Parsons: Keep a close eye on the Dallas linebacker, who is a dual threat as a pass rusher and a player who can turn completely invisible for multiple quarters.
Offensive Player To Watch: 49ers
Offensive Player To Watch: 49ers
Brock Purdy: Luckily for San Francisco, Brock Purdy has zero professional experience with losing and barely comprehends the concept of defeat.
Defensive Player To Watch: 49ers
Defensive Player To Watch: 49ers
Nick Bosa: Expect Bosa to come out strong on every play in order to sack Dak Prescott before he has the chance to throw a pick.
Dak Prescott was nearly perfect in directing a balanced, dynamic offense. Micah Parsons again wreaked havoc in leading a dominant defense.
Behind Prescott and Parsons, Dallas dismantled Minnesota and put the rest of the NFL on notice with a convincing 40-3 victory on the road Sunday against a team that had won seven straight games.
How ’bout them Cowboys! No team owns a more impressive win this season.
“This is exactly what I expected,” Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse said. “We knew we were going to come in here and knock them down. We showed them who the tougher team is, and it is us. That is the type of that we can play week in and week out if we continue to stay together and do our job.”
The Cowboys (7-3) are unlikely to win the NFC East. They trail the Philadelphia Eagles (9-1) by two games and already lost to them. But they proved why they’ll be a dangerous team that nobody will want to face in January following the biggest road win in team history.
“This team has got the work ethic. It’s got the attitude. They’ve got a hard mindset, which you have to have,” coach Mike McCarthy said.
The Cowboys have averaged 28.8 points per game in Prescott’s five starts. Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott, who scored two touchdowns apiece against the Vikings (8-2), provide a strong 1-2 running attack. They may end up adding Odell Beckham Jr. to join CeeDee Lamb, giving Prescott another weapon.
“Right now the challenge is handling success,” Prescott said. “Having a game like this in the NFL is tough to do. To be able to do that, we’ve got to put this behind us and know that we’ve got to go out there — we’re as good as our last game. We’ve got to turn the page and go put another one together on Thursday.”
The Cowboys host the Giants (7-3) on Thanksgiving in a fight for second place in the division.
For now, the Buffalo Bills are the best second-place team in the NFL. They rebounded nicely from a mistake-filled, overtime loss at home to the Vikings with a 31-23 victory over Cleveland.
Despite a chaotic week that saw them forced to play a “home” game in Detroit because a storm dumped several feet of snow in western New York, the Bills (7-3) got back on track against the Browns.
Josh Allen didn’t turn the ball over after a rough three-week stretch and the offense scored on all five possessions in the second half.
“We still don’t feel like we played very well, but it goes to show you we played smart and put up 31 points and didn’t play to our standard,” Allen said.
The Bills may eventually surpass Miami (7-3) in the AFC East — the Dolphins won the first matchup and the teams meet in Buffalo on Dec. 18. Like Dallas, the Bills also play Thursday, when they face the Lions (4-6).
The Cincinnati Bengals are another second-place team finding its groove. The reigning AFC champions beat Pittsburgh 37-30 for their fourth win in five games. Even without Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals (6-4) are rolling on offense. Joe Burrow led the way with four TD passes and running back Samaje Perine set a franchise record with three TD catches.
The Bengals are one game behind the Baltimore Ravens (7-3) in the AFC North. The Ravens won in Cincinnati in October and the division could be on the line when the teams meet in Baltimore in Week 18.
“I think we’re playing as good as anybody,” Burrow said. “We’re hitting our stride offensively. Still left some points out there. There’s always room to improve, obviously.”
In a season filled with close games and comeback wins, the last team standing may be one that doesn’t finish the regular season in first place.
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Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter at https://twitter.com/robmaaddi
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL
The Dallas Cowboys quarterback said he will start Sunday against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium after going through a full practice on Thursday for the first time since fracturing his right thumb in the season opener.
He even made a thumbs-up for the cameras at the end of his media session.
“I did everything. I wasn’t limited by any means,” Prescott said. “There wasn’t a pitch count. I think I threw about 140 balls, something like that. I just made that up, but there was no pitch count. I was full go.”
Prescott has missed the past five games after needing surgery. Cooper Rush went 4-1 in Prescott’s absence to keep the Cowboys’ season afloat.
After throwing about 50 passes before last week’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Prescott took a regeneration day on Monday and was back on the field Tuesday, the players’ off day. After Wednesday’s walk-through, he was held to a 40-pass session with the perimeter players. Coach Mike McCarthy said Prescott looked, “very good” and that the throws would increase Thursday and Friday.
With Prescott’s return, the Cowboys believe their offensive production will improve while still focusing on a running game featuring Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard.
“I think running the football makes things go a little bit easier. Even when it may not be that effective, you’re still wearing on that defense,” Elliott said. “You’re still creating body blows, and then you’re impacting the game and making play-action work. I think it’s important for us to continue to attack defenses on the ground. Why not? You’ve got two great backs and a good O-line, so why don’t you make it easy for Dak?”
Prescott said he may wear some KT Tape on his thumb but considered taking it off in practice and might go without it Sunday. He said he will continue to take measures to help the thumb before and after practices and games.
“I’m not going to just act like I didn’t have a broken bone a few weeks ago,” Prescott said “I am still going to do some things, but for the most part I’m healthy. It feels good. I grabbed the ball. The ball is comfortable in my hand. My grip is great. Honestly, putting it behind me and just focusing on this game plan.”
Prescott’s impending return has given the Cowboys an emotional lift.
“No. 1, his leadership ability, personality is top-notch, off the charts,” McCarthy said. “So I mean that energy definitely has been felt without a doubt. Anybody that knows Dak or has been a teammate of his understands the energy that he brings each and every day.”
To McCarthy, “rhythm and timing” are what he looks for most when a quarterback is coming back from a multiweek absence.
“It’s a challenge to grab that in this short a period of time. There’s no question,” McCarthy said. “But I think that’s why really putting the ceiling on the workload is important because Lord knows he would throw 140 [Wednesday] if you’d let him. We just got to be smart about that and trust the medical process that he’s going through.”
Elliott didn’t see any issues in practice.
“Today he looked really good. Today the rhythm looked really good,” Elliott said. “It didn’t look like he missed a beat.”
Prescott believes watching the past five weeks will help him and the team.
“A lot of things I wouldn’t necessarily share, but I know it’s going to help me and help this team moving forward, helping certain players, just staying ahead of the communication aspect, whether it be with the players, whether it be with the coaches, communicating with the defense as a team, making sure they stay together, understand we’re in this together,” Prescott said.
“Yeah, I learned a lot. As disappointing as it was, it was really, really fun and a great time for me to grow and learn more about this team that honestly I hadn’t been able to see from that perspective. Being hurt before [in 2020], I was gone when I hurt my ankle, right? I wasn’t necessarily around trying to get that right.
“Being here during this time, not missing anything, seeing the game, seeing the way everything plays out, I think it will be huge moving forward.”
FRISCO, Texas — Dak Prescott will be “in the lead chair as far as reps” for practice in the latest sign that the star quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys will return from injury Sunday against Detroit.
Coach Mike McCarthy left little doubt about the end of Prescott’s five-game absence because of a fractured thumb on his throwing hand. The quarterback said over the weekend he expected to play.
Prescott threw 40 passes during a scaled-back practice Wednesday coming off a late game at Philadelphia.
“I thought he looked very good,” McCarthy said. “We’ll look to expand that (Thursday) and put him in the lead chair as far as reps just to give him the opportunity to prepare to play.”
The Cowboys (4-2) lost to the undefeated Eagles 26-17 with first place in the NFC East on the line.
Now they face the Lions (1-4), one of two one-win teams in the NFC. Dallas gets another struggling opponent at home next week against Chicago.
Dallas won four consecutive games with Cooper Rush replacing Prescott after the 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year fractured his right thumb in a season-opening loss to Tampa Bay.
The winning streak pushed Rush’s career record to 5-0, including a victory last season at Minnesota.
Although Rush no longer has a perfect record, the Cowboys are one of just four teams in the NFC with a winning record through six weeks. Three of those teams are in the NFC East.
McCarthy credited the players’ participation in the offseason program and a mostly healthy training camp in California with helping Dallas stay in contention without Prescott.
“I think it’s a credit to the whole team, especially what Cooper Rush was able to do,” McCarthy said. “I think it’s all those things, they add up and then it’s all part of keeping the train on the tracks.”
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FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones is hopeful Dak Prescott will be able to return to the starting lineup Sunday against the Detroit Lions after missing five games with a fractured right thumb.
“Well, let’s just say this: He’s determined to [play],” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “I think he’s, from my perspective, from what I can know and see, I think he’s going to get there. We feel like that physically, he’s at a position that the risk/reward justifies him being out there in terms of any reoccurrence of the injury.”
Jones said Prescott had a “very impressive” throwing session before Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. After the game, Prescott said it was his plan to play against the Lions. On Monday, coach Mike McCarthy said Prescott would be cleared medically by Tuesday and would return to practice Wednesday.
Prescott began throwing only last week after undergoing surgery on Sept. 12.
“The final threshold is always return to play, but then there’s the timing. That’s for any position,” McCarthy said Monday. “When you look at players who are returned to play, they’re cleared medically to play, but if you don’t feel the timing is quite there, they may need another week. That’s why if you look at the regimentation of how we’ve been bringing Dak back, obviously following the medical process of it, we’ve been trying to do as much throwing, particularly the individual routes on air, as much as we can. I think we’ve checked the boxes.”
Jones is not worried about Prescott overcompensating for the thumb in a way that would lead to issues elsewhere with his throwing motion.
“I think he’s got a good chance to get out there,” Jones said.
The Cowboys went 4-1 with Cooper Rush as their starter, and Jones does not think the Cowboys will have to limit their offense whenever Prescott returns after a long layoff.
“We’ll get to do anything that we want to do,” Jones said. “No one is more prepared. No one has spent more hours preparing to play a football game than Dak. I think we’ve got it all there, the full repertoire. I don’t think there will be any limitations on anything we do.”
FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys are preparing for another start from quarterback Cooper Rush in an NFC East showdown with undefeated Philadelphia as Dak Prescott’s recovery from a broken right thumb continues.
Coach Mike McCarthy said Prescott was set to do some light throwing at the end of practice Wednesday after starting the workout in the rehab group.
The division lead will be on the line when the Cowboys (4-1) visit the Eagles (5-0) on Sunday night.
Rush has won four consecutive starts, including over last year’s Super Bowl teams in Cincinnati and the defending champion Los Angeles Rams.
Prescott fractured the thumb on his throwing hand in a season-opening loss to Tampa Bay.
McCarthy has said he wanted Prescott to get a full week of practice before playing, and he indicated Wednesday’s activity didn’t count toward that.
“I think we’re still in the medical rehab phase,” McCarthy said. “So once he clears this phase and he’s fully activated, then I think that’s when we have our conversation.”
The Eagles can take a two-game lead on the defending division champions with a victory. Prescott is 7-3 in his career against Philadelphia.
It would be the first start against the Eagles for Rush, who has won the first five starts of his career going back to a victory at Minnesota last season.
McCarthy said Rush’s winning streak wasn’t a factor in the decision on when Prescott would return.
“You’ve got to trust the medical process,” McCarthy said. “I know Dak didn’t want to hear it. You’ve got to make sure that he’s right for the long haul, too. Not that I’m saying we’re being conservative because that doesn’t really line up with him the way he approaches preparing to play.”
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FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones would not rule out Dak Prescott from playing Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, but he acknowledged the quarterback’s grip on a football is “not well enough to play” at the moment.
Speaking on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, Jones said Prescott’s surgically repaired right thumb is improving.
“I don’t know that you could ask for better news technically, physically in how it’s responding, how it’s healing so to speak,” Jones said. “So all of those things are on go and I don’t know that as we bid bye to each day if considering the injury, considering the location of the injury, I don’t know that you could make any more progress. There’s some things here about healing that again I often say only the man upstairs knows how that works, but he’ll have a big week and he’ll be hard on himself getting it ready to go.”
Prescott is scheduled to meet with the doctors Tuesday. He had surgery Sept. 12 and had the stitch removed from his right thumb Sept. 26. Last week, Mike McCarthy said Prescott was still dealing with swelling in the joint, and Jones said after the win against the Washington Commanders that Prescott has yet to really throw the ball.
On Monday, McCarthy said he wants Prescott to go through a full week of practice before returning.
“I mean we’re not talking about being out one week here, you know?” McCarthy said.
Jones said on the radio, “We need to have that process before we [go] in a ballgame. Can’t eliminate the week’s work and be ready to go, especially not at quarterback.”
If Prescott is not ready, Cooper Rush will make his fourth straight start. Rush became the first Cowboys quarterback to win the first four starts of a career (he was 1-0 last season). In his three starts this season, he has four touchdowns and no interceptions, and he has been sacked just twice.
Asked if there was a number of games or wins that would make the Cowboys stick with Rush the way they did Prescott in 2016 when Tony Romo was healthy, Jones said, “No, as I see it right today.”
